196 The Water-fowl Family 



presence by a lonely peep in answer to the dis- 

 tressed cry of the old bird as she circles around 

 near by. They are hardy and soon able to shift 

 for themselves, running and flapping over the 

 water exactly as the goosander or American mer- 

 ganser. They fly in September and follow the 

 coast in their migration, frequenting the shallow 

 bays and lagoons alongshore, often following up 

 the larger rivers. Mergansers do not care espe- 

 cially for the companionship of other ducks, and 

 we see them in flocks alone, perhaps feeding on 

 some school of fish which they ravenously pursue 

 and devour. They fly in a line and have a pecul- 

 iar habit of depressing the neck and head, when 

 their attention is attracted by anything in the line 

 of flight. The ideas of the red-breasted mergan- 

 ser on the subject of a winter resort vary. Some 

 stay through the coldest weather along the New 

 England coast, others push on to Florida ; many 

 loiter between. The male of this species is very 

 showy ; his green hairy crest and handsome body 

 markings rank him well as a stylish bird. Not 

 persecuted for the market and careful to mind 

 their own affairs, this species might well set ex- 

 amples to the more popular members of our 

 wild-fowl family. This bird is also known as the 

 sheldrake, salt-water sheldrake, fishing-duck, and 

 hairy crown. 



